Improve Your Writing With These 5 Tips
Log your word count.
Some writers need to see their number of words written to feel that their story is moving forward. If this is you, keep a log of your daily word count to help track your productivity. As your story progresses, be sure that your completed draft has the key elements of a beginning, middle, and end.
Develop your characters.
Character sketching is more than just knowing your characters’ names and a little background. Delve deep into each character and their roles in your story. What are their flaws, strengths, weaknesses, pet peeves, dreams, goals, etc.? If you know their purpose, you’ll have less hiccups and writer’s block periods with moving your story ahead.
End your session mid-scene.
Your fingers are typing away and you’re brimming with excitement as you start creating your juicy scene. Stop right there. That’s right, end your writing session at that point. Leaving your story on a high note for the day makes you look forward to picking up where you left off the next day.
Create and meet deadlines.
If you’ve landed a publishing deal, you’re given a deadline as to when you need to present a completed manuscript (if you only submitted sample chapters previously). However, even if you’re not contracted to complete your work by a certain time (i.e. you’ve chosen to self-publish your writing), create deadlines for yourself on track with finishing your book. Deadlines make you more productive, which in turn gets your manuscript completed sooner.
Incorporate session breaks.
Writing requires deep thought, focus and discipline - this we know. On the other hand, taking breaks between sessions are just as important to keep creativity flowing. Set time intervals for breaks and switch your focus to activities unrelated to writing. Have some lunch, take a walk around the park or a cat nap to give your mind a breather and re-fuel.
What do you need to do so that your writing can move ahead?
Share your thoughts in the comment box below.